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Original photo: Newsday)
This post was updated on 4/29, 10:43 a.m., PT, with new information about the Palm Eos.
There's been a ton of Palm Pre chatter this week, leading many people to think that its launch is imminent. However, the latest rumors don't revolve around the Pre but rather future Palm Web OS devices.
According to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington, he talked to one of his "better sources," who revealed that Palm is "very far along" on a second Pre-like device that will ship as early as the fall.
TechCrunch didn't have many specifics on the device, other than it would be smaller in size, leading some to think that it might forgo a physical keyboard. Also, it's not meant to be a next-generation Web OS smartphone. Instead, it will simply offer customers another option.
Also in the world of rumors, Boy Genius Report has a very blurry photo of what it is calling Palm's next Web OS smartphone--a device similar to the Palm Centro in design but obviously, running the new OS.
Engadget Mobile actually found a clearer picture of the smartphone, as well as a name and a list of specs. Dubbed the Palm Eos, the quad-band mobile will offer 4GB of storage, HSDPA support, Bluetooth 2.1, and a 2-megapixel camera, among other things. It also looks to be quick thin and light at 4.3 inches tall by 2.1 inches wide by 0.4 inch thick and weighs 3.5 ounces. Engadget seems to think that the Eos, also known by its codename Castle, is AT&T bound and will go for $349 before rebates. If the Eos is meant to be the successor to the Centro, which was initially offered at $99 with contract, we really hope that price is wrong or there are some serious carrier discounts.
While all these rumors seem thin on details, the idea of a mini Palm Pre or Pre Centro isn't completely off the mark. Palm said that the Pre was only the first in a family of devices. Plus, the whole idea behind the Palm Web OS was to create a platform that offered enough flexibility to meet the different needs and lifestyles of its customers. With that in place, it only makes sense that Palm brings new form factors to market. Also as TechCrunch and PhoneDog point out, this is definitely an area where Palm could get ahead of Apple.
In the year since Palm released the Centro as an attempt to revive its lagging business, I've barely heard a whisper about new applications or energy for the Treo and Centro lines. Yet late Monday night, the device maker released its own app store download for Centro and Treo users to more easily access the applications.
The arrival of Palm's free app store--for both Windows Mobile and Palm operating systems--was undoubtedly spurred on by the success of Apple's iPhone App Store, Google's Android Market, and the upcoming BlackBerry app store that's slated to debut in March.
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Palm Software)
Palm's nexus of downloads includes over 5,000 applications, about a fifth of them freebies. Yet with the exception of Facebook, few appear to be the fresh takes on multimedia and social networking that have defined modern applications. A press release trumpets Nursing Central, Encyclopedia Britannica, Pac-Man, Tetris, and Fish Tycoon as its hot apps.
While Palm may hope its storefront will coax developers to submit variations of their innovative iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android apps to the store, the offering so far adds little strength to Palm's lagging market position.
Still, getting an app store out before BlackBerry does provide some credibility. More importantly, it will undoubtedly please existing Palm users, the most important ingredient for Palm's continued existence in the vicious and volatile mobile marketplace.
Q: I was browsing CNET, and noticed that PDAs have dropped off the map. It's been "the talk" for years that phones and PDAs were going to converge and neither would exist alone as we know them. Did it happen? Did I miss it? I've been an avid Palm user (even have programmed them for work), but of course Palm/PalmSource/Aspect is tanking with a couple Treos as the only remaining flotsam. The TX was great...but is going. Hewlett-Packard's iPaq is tragically bland. So, what's a PDA guy to do?
What would you recommend for keeping calendars, addresses, notes, possibly pictures and music, and Web browsing over Wi-Fi--that isn't also my phone? Or should I just suck it up and give in to the too-large-for-a-phone-but-too-small-for-a-PDA smartphone? I'm terrified of relying on Verizon, AT&T, or Apple for the portability of my data in the future--they can't even move a simple phone list. And the way they lock up and cripple their devices is stupendously...stupid! -- Chris C. via e-mail
Palm TX
(Credit: CNET Networks)A: Hi Chris. Back in 2006, when Palm celebrated its 10-year anniversary, I was asked if PDAs would be around for another 10 years, and perhaps it's because I like to root for the underdog, but I said yes. Now, I'm having to reconsider my stance.
I still believe there is a market for handhelds. With all the advanced gadgets today and working in tech, it's sometimes easy to forget that there are a lot of people who still just want the basics, whether it be a cell phone that just makes calls; a simple point-and-shoot digital, or a standalone PDA for simple organization. When it comes to the latter, however, the market is small and dwindling.
As you probably know, Palm hasn't released a new model in years, and while HP continues to offer PDAs, they're very corporate-centric and sounds like you're not a fan of them anyway. So what is a guy (or gal) to do? Well, if you enjoyed the Palm TX, you could always get a replacement, since they're still available for sale. I'd also recommend taking a look at the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It's not as compact as the TX and might have a bit of a learning curve, but you'll be able to organize your contacts and calendar, enjoy multimedia, and surf the Web via Wi-Fi. In addition, you get GPS, a full QWERTY keyboard, and there are numerous applications you can add to expand its capabilities.
I'd also encourage you take a look at the Palm Centro. It is a smartphone, but I think it would be a good transition device for you. You'll get the familiarity and benefits of the Palm OS and PIM (personal information management) tools, but you'll also get voice features and a full QWERTY keyboard in a device that is the size of a PDA. Plus, it's really a good value for your money. I'm not sure what carrier you have for cell phone service, but the Centro is available at all major service providers except T-Mobile. If you are a TMO customer, you can buy an unlocked version and insert your SIM card.
Readers, have any other suggestions for Chris?
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Palm)
Just in time for the holiday season, Sprint announced on Tuesday that it will offer the Palm Centro in two new colors. Starting October 19, you will be able to get the entry-level smartphone in vibrant rose or olive green, in addition to the carrier's red, black, and pink models. According to Palm, the colors chosen based on fashion trends for this season as forecasted by the color experts of the Pantone Fashion Color Reports for fall 2008 and spring 2009. How chic.
In addition to the new hues, Sprint will lower the price point from $99.99 to $79.99 (with a two-year contract) during the period of October 19 to January 10. It's a darn-good value, especially when you consider you get a couple more features too, including Facebook for Palm, Google Maps with the My Location feature on the device's ROM, and twice the storage of the original Centro from Sprint. Not too shabby.
Palm Centro - electric blue
(Credit: Palm)We interrupt your iPhone coverage to bring you this late-breaking news: As promised, today Palm announced a price drop for the AT&T Palm Centro . From July 11 to September 20, you can now get the Centro for $69.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate. This $30 price drop is part of a back-to-school promotion for the AT&T and applies to all color models of the Palm smartphone, which includes the new electric blue, glacier white, and obsidian black. So there you have it. And now back to you regularly scheduled program.
Palm Centro in electric blue
(Credit: Palm)Perhaps wanting to steal a little thunder from the iPhone 3G (uhh, good luck with that), today Palm announced a new electric blue version of the Palm Centro for AT&T, with nationwide availability starting Friday. So there's a new color; big whoop, right? Well now, wait a minute. Touting it as an lower-cost alternative to the iPhone and as part of a back to school promotional package, the Centro will be sold at a lower price point than its current $99 (with a two-year contract) from July 11 to September 20. Just how much less? We have no idea. The company said it won't release the new price point until Friday, so we'll have to wait till then. Oh, Palm, you tease. But really, is anyone going to take notice with all the iPhone madness?
Palm Centro, unlocked
(Credit: Palm)Heretofore only available via carrier (namely Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon), Palm has just made its consumer-level Palm Centro completely carrier-independent by offering an unlocked version. It'll have quad-band GSM support (850/900/1800/900 Mhz) but no 3G (up to EDGE only). It has pretty much the same specs as the AT&T model, but will be slightly more pricey at $299 and sports a gray number pad instead of the green.
Other news coming from Palm is that all Centros (including this unlocked one) will be able to get the new version of Google Maps that has the "My Location" feature (which communicates with cell towers to approximate your current location; a little like a faux GPS). This new version will be available to most Centro owners tomorrow, unless you're a Sprint customer, in which case you'll have to wait until later this summer.
Verizon Wireless Palm Centro
(Credit: Palm)It's not quite the Palm Treo 850 or Treo 800w news we were hoping for, but we're sure Verizon Wireless customers will still be happy to hear that they'll be able to get their hands on a Palm Centro starting Friday, June 13. Like the AT&T and Sprint models, Verizon's version of the entry-level smartphone will carry the same affordable price tag of $99 (with a two-year contract) and comes in a cobalt blue color.
Details are still trickling in as far as what the Verizon Palm Centro will include (Palm was finalizing the releases when we talked to a rep yesterday afternoon), but we imagine the feature list won't be too different from the other models. This includes integrated Bluetooth; EV-DO support; Documents to Go 10; a 1.3-megapixel camera; and PocketTunes Deluxe. For e-mail, you have your choice of using VersaMail 4.0 with built-in support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology and Exchange ActiveSync, or you can choose Verizon's proprietary Wireless Sync e-mail solution. It does not appear that the Centro will work with the carrier's V Cast streaming media services, nor will it support the A2DP Bluetooth profile. We'll be getting the full story from Palm later today, so check back soon.
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Palm)
I'm all tingly: Cell phone store Wirefly is offering the Palm Centro smartphone for free with a two-year Sprint service plan. Normally, the Centro runs $99.99 after a mail-in rebate; this deal requires no rebate and even includes free shipping. Hence the tingling.
I won't go into major detail about the Centro, as I've already written a fairly exhaustive review. What I'll add is that after several months of ownership, I'm very happy with it. It does flake out at times, to the point where I have to yank the battery to reset the phone, but mostly it works like a champ. I have zero trouble using the keyboard, cramped though it may be, and I love being able to run all the Palm software I've enjoyed over the years. (Anyone for Text Twist?)
The Wirefly deal is for the black model only (rats), and of course it requires a two-year service agreement with Sprint. You can choose from any number of plans, starting at $29.99 monthly. Seriously, this is a fantastic deal, folks. If you've never owned a smartphone before, here's your chance to get a great one without spending a penny on the hardware.
Update: Looks like Amazon has this deal, too, and it's even better: You can get the black or red Centro from Sprint or the white model from AT&T.
Palm Centro for AT&T
(Credit: AT&T)As expected, today AT&T announced the addition of the Palm Centro to its lineup of smartphones. Unlike the Sprint's red and black models, AT&T's version comes in white and features lime green buttons. And while it carries the same affordable $99 price tag (with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts), you do lose the 3G speeds and have to settle for ho-hum EDGE. However, it does support the carrier's push-to-talk service and AT&T Music. Otherwise, the GSM version of the petite Palm smartphone is very much like its CDMA cousin. You get a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 1.2, preloaded instant messaging clients, and push e-mail capabilities with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Good Mobile Messaging, and Xpress Mail. You can get your hands on the white-hot AT&T Palm Centro starting today.
